Trestle



R. c. shown 2,096,668

TRESTLE} Filed Dec. 19, 1936 II II Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a trestle forming apparatus for the use of carpenters, masons, plasterers, etc., and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to including means adaptable for wood pieces, which are readily available on almost any job for the purpose of setting up a knock-down trestle.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus for setting up a trestle at the job thereby overcoming the necessity of transporting a trestle from one job to another.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

' in a manner as hereinafter set forth, means whereby a strong, durable knock-down trestle may be expeditiously set up when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter referred to a trestle forming apparatus whereby an oblong ledge or head plank of a trestle may be positioned on one of its lengthwise edges or flatwise with respect to its upper or lower face and secured in a selected position.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction, strong, durable, thoroughly eflicient in its use, conveniently handled when desired, capable of being readily moved from place to place, compact and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the in trestle forming position,

Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2, Figure 1 and upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 with the ledge or head plank disposed on its lower face and at right angles to the showing of the plank in Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section.

As is well known a trestle includes twopairs apparatus of oppositely inclined legs and an oblong head which is generally termed a ledge board or plank. In the drawing the legs of one pair are indicated at 5, 6, those of the other pair at 'l, 8 and the ledge board at 9. In Figures 1, 2, and 3, the board or plank 9 is shown positioned on one of its lengthwise edges and in Figure 4 on its lower face, that is to say, at right angles to the showing in Figures l, 2, and 3.

The trestle forming apparatus includes a pair of hollow, recessed head elements Ill of like form, a pairof cross bars ll of like form, a pair of tie bars l2 of like form, two oppositely disposed pairs of clamping devices, the clamping devices of one pair are designated I 3 and those of the other at M, a pair of oppositely disposed clamping devices l5 of like form and a pair of spreader devices [6 of like form. The cross bars H are oppositely disposed. The tie bars l2 are oppositely disposed.

Each head element In is formed from any suitable metallic material preferably by stamping and it includes a pair of spaced aligned flat top parts ll, l8 having their inner ends toothed as at I9, a pair of downwardly extending oppositely outwardly inclined rear and front parts 20, 2| merging at their upper ends into the outer ends of the parts l1, [8 respectively, a pair of spaced aligned outer side parts 22, 23, a pair of spaced aligned inner side parts 24, 25, a pair of spaced opposed oppositely outwardly inclined upstanding coupling parts 26, 21 and a centrally apertured bridge part 28.

The parts 22, 24 are arranged in opposed spaced relation to the parts 23, 25 respectively. The parts 22, 24 merge at their upper ends into the sides of part I! and at their outer sidesinto the sides of part 20. The parts 23, 25 merge at their upper ends into the sides of part l8 and at their outer sides into the sides of the part 20. The outer and inner side parts are of like form, but the inner side parts are oppositely disposed with respect to the outer side parts. The pair of outer side parts are oppositely disposed. The pair of inner side parts are oppositely disposed. Each outer side part and each inner side part consists of an upper portion 29, an intermediate portion and a lower portion 3|, best shown in Figure l. The portion 30 is of greater Width than portions 29, 3|. The portion 29 is of less width than portion 3|. At the point of mergence, of the portions 29, 30 a horizontally disposed shoulder 32 is formed which extends inwardly from the bottom of portion 29. At the inner side edge of portion 29 is an integral vertically disposed apertured ear 33 extending outwardly at right angles to portion 29. At the inner side edge of portion 30 is an integral vertically disposed apertured ear 34 extending outwardly at right angles to portion 33 of greater height than and arranged inwaidly of the ear 33. The cars 33 of the parts 22, 24 align in spaced relation. The ears 34 of the parts 22, 24 align in spaced relation. The ears 33 of the parts 23, 25 align in spaced relation and the ears 34 of theparts 23, 25 align in spaced relation. The outer and 'inner side parts and the top parts coact to provide a vertical recess for receiving the ledge plank disposed on a lengthwise edge and the front and rear parts, outer and inner side parts and the top parts coact to form a horizontally disposed recess for receiving the ledge plank when the latter is disposed on its lower face. The. front and rear parts and the inner and outer side parts coact to provide a head with a pair of spaced recesses to receive the upper parts of a pair of legs. The couplingpart 26 is integral at its ends with the inner side edges of the portions 3I of the side parts 22, 24 and form in connection with the parts ll, 22, 24 a socket 35 for the passage of aleg of a pair. The socket 35 is open at its' top and bottom and opens at its top into the bottom of a recess which receives the upper part of the leg. The coupling part 21 is integral at its ends with the inner side edges of the portions 3I- of the side parts 23, 25 and form in.connec-.

tion with the parts I8, 22, 25 a socket 36 for the passage of the other leg of thepair. The socket 36 is open at its top and bottom and opens at its top into the bottom of the recesswhich receives the upper part of a leg.

The bridge piece 28 is integral at its ends with the top of the coupling parts 26, 21. The aperture or opening in bridge piece 28 is indicated at 31 and is countersunk. The lower face of bridge piece 28 is formed with an annular boss 38 which forms a continuation of the opening 31.

Each cross bar I I is formed of an intermediate portion 33 and a pair of end portions 40 disposed at right angles to and being of less length than the portion 39. The latter in proximity to each end thereof is formed with an opening 4| and centrally thereof with an opening not shown.

Each tie bar I2 is torsionally twisted intermediate its ends as at 42 to form a leading and a follower portion 43, 44 respectively disposed at right angles. The portion 43 is of greater length than portion 44 and is provided near its outer end with an opening 45. The lower end terminal part 46 of portion 44 is disposed at an angle to the remaining part of said portion 44 and is of U- shape form. The sides of the part 41 having aligning openings 48. V

The clamping devices I3, I4 are of like form and each consists of a hook member 49 having its shank 55 threaded as at 5I, and a swing nut 52 for engagement with the threads 5|. 7

Each of the clamping devices I5 consists of a hook member 52 having its shank 52 threaded as at 53, a take-up nut 53 of the wing type engaging with the threads 52 and a Washer 53 for positioning on shank 52 against the inner face of nut 53.

The spreader element I 6 consists of a screw 54 which extends through the opening in bridge piece 28, wedging plate 55 through which extends screw 54 and a take-up nut 55 of the wing type. The wedging plate 54 is arranged between and wedges against the coupling parts 25, 21.

When the ledge plank 9 is disposed on a longitudinal edge, it is seated on the bridge piece 28, is arranged between the ears 34 and is anchored to the heads Iii by the holdfast means I extending through the ears 34. In this arrangement the top parts IT, IS provide abutments for the legs, as well as the teeth I9 of the parts I'I, I8 engaging in the plank 9. When the ledge plank 9 is disposed flatwise on its lower face it seats upon the shoulders 32, is overlapped by the top parts I'I, I8 and provides an abutment for the legs.

When the trestle is set up the cross bars II are positioned against the inner edges of and overlap the outer side faces of and in proximity to the lower ends of the legs. The bars II are maintained in such position by the clamping devices I 3, I4 which have hook-like engagement with the legs and extend through and clamp to the cross bars. When the trestle is set up, as shown in Figure I, the lower terminal parts 46 of the tie bars I2 are positioned in overlapping relation with respect to the crossbars and detachably secured in position, as at 58. ,The bars I2 extend upwardly at opposite inclinations and are arranged on opposite side faces of ledge plank 9. The shanks of clamping devices I5 are passed through the openings 45 in the bars I2 and positioned against the lower edge of plank 9 and with the hooks of the members 52 engaging in the opposite sides of the plank The nuts 53 are then screwed home against the bars I2 whereby the plank 9 is clamped with the cross members II.

The manner of use of the device will be clear from the foregoing. The fittings, as seen, are such as to be adaptable to wood pieces which may be readily available on almost any job, without necessity in every case of precutting and hauling around. The-ledge plank'or board 9 of the desired length is assembled with the head elements I0 and the legs which may be out to whatever length is preferred. are seated in the leg sockets, the take-up nut 55 having been re-. tracted so as to allow the coupling parts 23, 21 to slacken to facilitate entry. Thereupon, the nut 56 is set up, and by forcing the wedge plate 55 up against the parts 26, 2? forces them into locking engagement against the legs. With a pair or more of such assemblages, platform boards as desired may be superposed, and the equipment is ready to receive the materials and operators.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, .a hollow metallic head element formed with vertical and horizontally disposed recesses for selectively receiving a ledge board disposed on a lengthwise edge or on its lower face, the top and bottom walls of the horizontal recess being open at their centers, the said vertical recess being open at its upper end and communicating with the horizontal recess through the opening in said bottom wall, said head element being provided with a pairof upstanding recesses for receiving the upper parts of a pair of supporting legs.

2. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a hollow metallic head element formed with vertical and horizontally disposed recesses for selectively receiving a ledge board disposed on a lengthwise edge or on its lower face, the top and bottom walls of the horizontal recess being open at their centers, the said vertical recess being open at its upper end and communicating with the horizontal recess through the opening in said bottom wall, said head element being provided with a pair of upstanding recesses for receiving the upper parts of a pair of supporting legs and opening at their upper ends into said horizontal recess adjacent the upper end of said vertical recess, and said head element being provided with means forming a pair of leg receiving sockets opening into the bottoms of said upstanding recesses.

3. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a hollow metallic head element formed with vertical and horizontally disposed recesses for selectively receiving a ledge board disposed on a lengthwise edge or on its lower face, the top and bottom walls of the horizontal recess being open at their centers, the said vertical recess being open at its upper end and communicating with the horizontal recess through the opening in said bottom wall, said head element being provided with a pair of upstanding recesses for receiving the upper parts of a pair of supporting legs and opening at their upper ends into said horizontal recess adjacentthe upper end of said vertical recess, and an adjustable spreader element arranged within the lower portion of, bearing against and connected to the head element for locking the supporting legs in said element.

4. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a hollow metallic head element formed with vertical and horizontally disposed recesses for selectively receiving a ledge board disposed on a lengthwise edge or on its lower face, said head element being provided with a pair of upstanding recesses for receiving the upper parts of a pair of supporting legs, said head element being provided with means forming a pair of leg receiving sockets opening into the bottoms of said upstanding recesses, and a spreader element connected with the head element for locking the supporting legs in said element.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of upstanding inner sidewise aligned metallic head elements, each having recesses for a ledge board and pairs of supporting legs, adjustable spreader means arranged within the lower portions of, bearing against and connected to said elements for locking the legs in said elements, a cross bar to extend between each pair of legs and including adjustable clamps for encompassing and anchoring it to the legs of the pair,

and a tie rod extending from each cross bar and for connection to the ledge board.

6. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a hollow metallic head element formed with vertically and horizontally disposed recesses for selectively receiving a ledge board disposed on a lengthwise edge or on its lower face, the top and bottom walls of the horizontal recess being open at their centers, the said vertical recess being open at its upper end and communicating with the horizontal recess through the opening in said bottom wall, said head element being provided with a pair of upstanding recesses for receiving the upper parts of a pair of supporting legs and opening at their upper ends into said horizontal recess adjacent the upper end of said vertical recess, and said element being formed with spaced angularly disposed outwardly directed upstanding apertured means on both sides thereof for the passage of holdfast devices for securing the ledge board thereto.

7. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a hollow metallic head element formed with vertically and horizontally disposed recesses for selectively receiving a ledge board disposed on a lengthwise edge or on its lower face, said head element being provided with a pair of upstanding recesses for receiving the upper parts of a pair of supporting legs, said head element being provided withmeans forming a pair of leg receiving sockets opening into the bottoms of said upstanding recesses, and said elements being formed with spaced angularly disposed apertured means for the passage of holdfast devices for securing the ledge board thereto.

. 8. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of spaced aligned metallic head elements of like form and each having selectable recesses disposed in angular relation for receiving a ledge board and a pair of recesses for receiving a pair of supporting legs, adjustable spreader means within and suspended from said elements for locking the legs in said elements, a cross bar to extend between each pair of legs, means for securing said cross bars tothe legs, a tie rod extending from each cross bar and for connection to the ledge board, and said head elements being formed with upstanding oppositely extending angularly disposed apertured means for the passage of the holdfast devices to secure theledge board thereto.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of spaced aligned metallic head elements of like form and each having selectable recesses disposed in angular relation for receiving a ledge board and a pair of recesses for receiving a pair of supporting legs, adjustable spreader means within and suspended from said elements for locking the legs in said elements, a cross bar to extend between each pair of legs, means for securing said cross bars to the legs, a tie rod having its outer end overlapping and anchored to each cross bar, a tie rod extending from each cross bar for connection to the ledge board, and means for clamping the inner portions of the tie rods to opposite sides of the ledge board.

ROBERT C. BROWN. 

